Thyme Growing Guide
Growing Thyme is easier than you think. This guide walks you through everything you need — from planting your first seed to harvesting.
At a Glance
Difficulty
Easy
Category
Herb
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Frost Tolerance
Frost Hardy
Growing Zones
Zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Plant Family
Lamiaceae
Growing Season
Cool & Warm Season
Plant Lifecycle
Perennial
Also grows well as
When To Start
First Chance to Plant
14 Days Before Last Frost
Last Chance to Plant
30 Days Before First Frost
When should you plant Thyme?
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Your Thyme Planting Window
Start planting
May 15, 2026
Last chance
Sep 10, 2026
The Journey Ahead
Thyme's Lifecycle
Seedling
Mature Plant
Seed Production
Step 1
Prepare Your Space
0.5 cm
Seeding Depth
20 cm
Plant Spacing
45 cm
Row Spacing
9
Plants / Sq Ft
Vertical Growing
Yes – Tower.
Method: Tower.
Succession Planting
Yes.
Good Companions
Bad Companions
Step 2
Planting & Sprouting
Expect sprouts in 10–21 days
Growing Tips
- 1Thyme thrives in full sunlight, so plant it in a spot that gets at least 6 hours of direct sun each day.
- 2It prefers well-drained soil, so consider adding sand or gravel to improve drainage if needed.
- 3Water thyme sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot.
- 4Space plants about 12 inches apart to ensure good air circulation, which helps prevent fungal diseases.
Seedling Phase
Step 3
Growth & Maturity
~85
Days to Maturity
30 cm
Mature Height
30 cm
Mature Width
Pests to Watch For
Diseases to Watch For
Mature Plant
Step 4
Harvesting
Harvest Window
60 days
When to Pick
Snip sprigs before flowering
How to Harvest
- 1Harvest thyme just before it flowers, when the leaves are most flavorful.
- 2Use sharp scissors or pruning shears to cut the top 5-6 inches of the stems, leaving at least 5 inches of growth to ensure the plant continues to thrive.
- 3Avoid cutting into the woody part of the plant to prevent damage.
Step 5
Saving Seeds
How to Save Seeds
Saving seeds from your thyme plant is simple and rewarding, even for new growers! Once your thyme flowers have dried on the plant, gently snip off the seed heads and place them in a paper bag. Give the bag a gentle shake to release the tiny seeds, then sift out any plant debris. Let the seeds air dry for a few days, and store them in a labeled envelope or small jar in a cool, dry place—your future self will thank you when it’s time to plant again. With a little care, you’ll have your own homegrown thyme seeds ready for next season, and you’ll see just how easy and satisfying seed saving can be!
Seed Production
Feeling inspired?
Grow Thyme from seed.
Tiny leaves, big flavour — the most versatile herb in the garden. Buy a pack and get started.
$2.25
CAD
In Stock
